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Guyper Posted 17 years ago
Grammar

A verb placed prior to a subject

"Only in this city could you find people corrupt enough to pull off such a crime"

Hi, for what reason would the verb, "could" appear before the subject, "you"?

And must the verb always be in past tense under that situation?

Thank you
  

Top answer

If a negative word such as not or never or a restrictive word such as only, seldom, hardly etc. begins a sentence, inversion occurs in the main clause : Not until I read what had happened did I realise the magnitude of the problem. Seldom does he smile.

— Cool Breeze

  • If a negative word such as not or never or a restrictive word such as only, seldom, hardly etc.
  • begins a sentence, inversion occurs in the main clause : Not until I read what had happened did I realise the magnitude of the problem.
  • Seldom does he smile.
  • Never can one count on him.
  • Inversion means interrogative structure is used.
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2 Answers
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If a negative word such as not or never or a restrictive word such as only, seldom, hardly etc. begins a sentence, inversion occurs in the main clause:

Not until I read what had happened did I realise the magnitude of the problem.
Seldom does he smile.
Never can one count on him.

Inversio
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No,It's not in past tense.
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